‘Warn victims’ families of serial killer’s release’, says Daniel Andrews

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is urging the state’s parole authorities to ensure they are in close contact with the families of Paul Denyer’s victims.

Paul Denyer being escorted by police in 1993.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is urging the state’s parole authorities to ensure they are in close contact with the families of Paul Denyer’s victims, amid reports they have been left in the dark about when the serial killer will be freed from prison.

Mr Andrews said Denyer, who became eligible for parole on April 11 after being locked up three decades ago for the 1993 murders of three women, was a “matter for the Adult Parole Board”.

“I would hope that authorities were in regular contact with the (victims’ families) because this would be an incredibly distressing time, (a) very challenging time for them,“ he said.

“I've said in the past, he is where he belongs. But his status is a matter for the Adult Parole Board and I think they would be well aware of community sentiment on this.”

Asked if he would urge authorities to update the victims’ families, he responded “yes”.

Denyer was originally sentenced by Supreme Court judge Frank Vincent to life in prison for the murders of Natalie Russell, 17, Elizabeth Ann-Marie Stevens, 18, and Deborah Anne Fream, 22. Six months later the Court of Appeal overturned Justice Vincent’s sentence, and set a 30-year minimum term.

Victorian Liberal Democrat Upper House MP David Limbrick, dating Russell at the time of her death, told The Australian this week the decision “was some failure of the justice system”.

Russell’s parents, Brian and Carmel Russell, were contacted by the Department of Justice late last year to alert them Denyer would be eligible for parole on April 11.

Since then, the couple say, they have been told nothing.

On Wednesday Victoria’s Adult Parole Board declined to comment.